FARMINGTON — The Franklin County Children’s Task Force Dress Swap is filled with frilly ruffles and shiny sequins. There are layers of tulle, smooth satin, and fuzzy velvet in every color of the rainbow, and then some. The shop is now open and it is the ideal place for a girl to find the perfect dress for the upcoming Father Daughter Dances. Since the dresses are available at no cost, the shop is an ideal and economical resource for families.

Over the last several weeks, families and individuals have been dropping by FCCTF with unused or outgrown dresses to hang in the shop. Now that the shop is open, those individuals are welcome to come back and pick out a dress. But, the shop is not limited to those that brought in a dress to swap, said Blanchet.

“Any girl going to the dance is welcome to stop by,” she said. “The idea is to give dresses that have been outgrown a new home and to relieve the financial burden of purchasing a dress that may only be worn once or twice.”

Although the dances have taken place for many years, this is the first year of the swap, said Rileigh Blanchet, community coordinator of the organization.

The dances will be held on Saturday, March 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Spruce Mountain Middle School in Jay and Strong Elementary School in Strong. Details and ticket information will be released shortly, Blanchet said.

There are a few ground rules in place, she added. Although it is not required, families are encouraged to bring in their children to try on dresses. Only one dress per child is allowed. Those families with more than three children must bring in all their children to try on dresses.

The Franklin County Children’s Task Force Dress Swap is filled with a selection of dresses. (Franklin Journal photo by Dee Menear)

“We will be closely monitoring any and all Buy, Swap, Sell sites on social media,” she cautioned. “If we see any of our dresses sold on these sites, the swap will not take place in the future.”

The Dress Swap will be open every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. leading up to the dances. The swap is located at the task force office, 113 Church St. For more information, call 778-6960 or visit fcctf.org.

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